Do phones that are ActiveSync compatible (be it windows mobile, iPhone, Android, etc.) use the Exchange Availability Service or public folders to view free/busy information? I've been told they require public folders, but that doesn't seem to jive with Microsoft's desire to get rid of public folders. By the way, we're talking Exchange 2007 SP2here. Thanks.

HI, In Exchange 2007 and outlook 2007 doesnt require public folders and it'll use Client access services to get availability services and calendaring. Please see below TechNet article to know supported devices.Resources Exchange ActiveSync Devices and Compatible Featuresregards Chinthaka Shameera | MCITP: EA | MCSE: M | http://howtoexchange.wordpress.com/

Thanks for the input, but that article doesn't answer my question. I'm concerned with HOW mobile devices that are compatible with Exchange ActiveSync view free/busy information, not which devices are compatible. The reason is that Microsoft keeps threatening to get rid of Public Folders and has already "Deemphasized" them (whatever that means). We currently use BES & blackberries, which require public folders. We're considering moving to an ActiveSync solution instead of BES. Partially because of the public folders requirement. So in doing my research I had HEARD that ActiveSync also requires public folders, and I was hoping for a confirmation preferably with a link to documentation. I've scoured the web but haven't found anything yet. Oh and by the way, I realize that IF the day ever comes that public folders are gone, I know RIM will support that, so there really isn't a worry there, just a catalyst. thanks again.

Hi there,ActiveSync devices are considered as the non MAPI clients to retrieve and edit your emails and other stuff stored in your mailbox. Exchange 2007 uses Availability service to publish the Free/Busy information to non MAPI clients as well. That makes sense when you can use OWA to see the free/busy info of other users even when you do not have a public folder store. Public folders are only for the backward compatibility of Free/busy publication. As you said already, there isnt any crisp documentation about it from Microsoft that can be linked at this moment but you can try understanding the stuff with the help of;http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996303.aspxhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998820.aspxMilind Naphade | MCTS:M | http://www.msexchangegeek.com